Shirt collar construction



June 9, 1964 w. A. FRANK, JR

SHIRT COLLAR CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Aug. 1.6, 1962 yENTOR.%LI

United States Patent 3,135,965 SHEKT COLLAR CONSTRUCTIGN William A. Frank, In, 3411 Alamo Ave,

Cincinnati 9, Ghio Continuation of application Ser. No. 217,369, Aug. 16, 1962. This application July 22, 1963, Ser. No. 296,780 Claims. (Cl. 2-141) This invention relates to shirts and is particularly di- .pinched together to tightly embrace the knot of the wearers tie.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple tab element in combination with means for selectively mounting the tab element in an operative position in which it engages the mid point of both collar wings and draws them together to configurate the collar in a tab style. Means are also provided for mounting the tab in a concealed position in which it is held beneath one of the collar wings when the collar is configurated in a spread configuration.

More particularly, one preferred form of shirt collar constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises a generally conventional soft collar including two wings, the confronting edges of which normally diverge downwardly from one another at an angle. Each of the collar wings is provided on its undersurface with a fastener element, the fastener elements being disposed approximately midway between the upper edge of the collar and the wing tip. At least one wing of the collar is also provided with a second fastening device spaced from the first.

A fastening tab is used in conjunction with the collar. This tab in one preferred form comprises a thin elongated strip of semi-rigid plastic material, such as celluloid. Spaced inwardly a slight distance from each end of the tab are two fastening elements adapted to cooperate with the fastener elements mounted on the undersur'face of the collar wings. The spacing of the fastener elements on the tab is appreciably less than the normal spacing of the fastener elements on the two wings when the collar is worn in its spread position. Consequently, when the tab is secured to the two wings, it is effective to draw or pinch the center portions of the wings inwardly to give the shirt collar a pinched or tab configuration. When the shirt is to be worn in the spread configuration, the tab is pivoted to a position in which both fasteners on one wing are engaged so that the tab is completely concealed. For laundering purposes, the tab can be completely removed from the shirt if desired.

One of the principal advantages of the present shirt collar construction is that it provides a simple means for quickly converting a shirt from one collar style to another, depending upon the wearers desire for the particular social occasion at hand.

Another advantage of the present shirt collar construction is that when the shirt is worn in a tab style, the tab extends straight across the collar in a position in which it is hidden by the tie knot.

A still further advantage of the present invention is that the wearer can easily change the position of the tab while the shirt is being worn. More particularly, the provision of a semi-rigid tab in which an endwise portion of the tab extends slightly beyond the fastener elements provides lips which can easily be gripped with a fingernail, or the like, to unsnap the tab. Also, the tab connection to the wing is a pivotal connection so that the tab can readily be pivoted to a position in which it is disposed under one Wing.

Another advantage of the present tab construction is that it does not add appreciably to the cost of a conventional shirt collar. Moreover, the tab construction is durable and readily outlasts the normal life of the collar.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from a considera tion of the following detailed description of the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of' the invention.

Inthe drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a shirt collar provided with the fastener attachment of this invention, a four-in-hand tie being shown thereon in dotted lines. 7

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the collar illustrated in FIGURE 1 with the collar in a turned up position.

FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view' taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a preferred form of collar fastening attachment.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the attachment of this invention in operative position connect-,

ing together the wings of a soft collar.

As is best shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 5, one preferred form of shirt collar embodying the present invention comprises a generally conventional soft collar 8 sewed in the usual manner on a shirt 9. The soft collar includes a neck band 10 and a folded over outer band 11 terminating at its front in opposed wings 12 and 13. The wing fastening device of this invention consists of a detachable tab 14 removable, when desired, from the collar. Tab 14 is preferably made of a thin strip of plastic material, but alternatively may be composed of relatively stiff multiply fabric material, or the like. Each terminal end of the tab 14 is provided with the cooperating part 15 of a fastener, as for instance, the male element of a conventional separable, snap fastener device, this male element comprising clinched parts 16 and 17 (FIGURE 3) for securing the element to the tab. As is best shown in FIGURE 4, the ends of tab 14 extend outwardly for a short distance beyond the snap fastener parts.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, the folded over band 11 of the collar preferably has an outer ply 18 and an inner ply 19, and with respect to FIGURES l and 2, it will be noted that cooperating fastener parts 20, such as the female elements of the usual snap fastener device, are secured to the inside face of the inner ply 19 of the folded over band 11 in positions along the adjacent, confronting edges of the collar wings 12 and 13. These fastener parts 20 are positioned approximately midway between the tips of wings 13 and the upper edge of the collar.

The secured, inoperative position of the fastener tab 14 is determined by the position of a cooperating snap fastener element 21, alsoof the female type, located along the lower edge of at least one of the collar wings and removed rearwardly from the element 15 a distance identical to the spaced apart distance of the fastener elements 15-15 on the tab 14. collar wing 12 and 13 is shown as provided with a snap fastener element 21 but the invention could be practiced with butone element 21 if desired.

FIGURES l and 2 show the collar and tab when the collar is being worn as a spread style collar. When the collar is so worn, the edges of the collar are relatively straight and form a downwardly opening V. When the collar is worn in this position, tab 14 is pivoted about snap Patented June 9, 1964 In the drawing each fastener 20 to a rearward and upward position in'whi'ch the fastener element 15 mounted on the free end of the tab is disposed to cooperatively engage the second element- 7 21 mounted on the undersurface of collar wing 12. In

this position the tab is completely hidden'and since, it lies flat against the undersurface of the collar wing it in no way impairs the appearance of the shirt. t a

When, the collaris to be worn'in a ftab collar con figuration as is shown in FIGURE 5, the fastenerlS on tab 14- is disengaged from coo'perating fastener element. 7 21. This disengagement can readily be effected by grasps ing the endwise portion of tab 14 which extends outwardly beyond the snap fastener elements and 2.1. The tab and until it extends horizontally between collar wings 12 and 13. i It is to be understood thatthe spacing be tween snap fastener elements 15 on tab-member 14is substantially less than the normal spacing between cooperating snap'fastener elements 20 on collar wingslZ-and 13 when the collar is worn in its spread position as is shown in FIGURE 1. Thus, in order to secure the collar wings member is rotated about cooperating fastener elements 15 7 in the tab position shoWn'in'FIGURE S, the mid points of the collar must be drawn togetherto bring the snap fastener element on the free end of the tab into registry with the cooperating snap fastener element of collar wing 13; v n c When the tab member 14 has been fastened to'both collar' wings,.it extends horizontally beneath and is com- .pletely hidden by the knot of the wearers' tie, the knot being urged forwardly slightly so-that it is tightly embraced by the collar wings. As'is shown in FIGURES, the tips of the Wings then diverge below the tab member 14. If

desired for laundering or for some other purpose, the tab may be completely removed from the collarrby disen-i gaging both elements 15 of the tab frorn the cooperating fastener elements .on the undersurface of the collar'win'gs'.

From the abovedisclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the above description of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art willcreadily comprehend various modifications to which the invention is susceptible. Accordingly, I desire the scope of the following claims,

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A'wing type shirt collar construction selectively configurable'in a spread wing style or in a tab style, said collar comprising an upper edge and two downwardly diverging opposed wings, said wings having concealed undersurfaces, tips andconfronting edges disposed along generally straight lines when the-collar is worn in a spread 'Wing style configuration, a tab member, first means securing one end of said tab member to the undersurface of one Wing intermediate the upper edge and tip of said to be limited only by opposed wings, said wings faces, tips and confrontingcedges' disposed straight lines' when the'collar is worn in aspread wing style confignration, a tab member, first. means securing one end of said tab member tow the undersurface of one wing substantially half-way between the upper edge and tip of said'wing, said first means being effective'tosupport said tab in an operative position in which said tab extendsbetween said wings and in a reversedqposition in 'which said'tabunderlies said one wing,'se cond' means for releasably securing the opposite end of'said tab inernbe'fito the undersurface of the opposite wing substantially half-t a way between the upperredgean'd the tip inwardly, and third fastening means mounted' upontthe undersurfaceof said, first wing and spaced from said first t fastening means to-cooperatively engage said opposite end of said tab member. when said tab is in its reversed 'posi 7 'tion, said tab being supported in a flat condition underj in'g concealed'when'said collar 1- said' first collar wing andb is configurated in a wing style;

' '3, A wing type shirt collar construction selectively:

, configurable in a spread wing styleor in atab style,'said collar comprising an upper edge and two downwardly di-v I verging opposed wings-said wings having concealed'undersurfaces, tips and confronting edges disposed along generally straight lines'when' the collar is worn in a spread V wing style configuration, a tab member, first means pivot V ally and detachably securing one end of saidtab member to the undersurface-of onewing intermediate the upper edge-and tip of saidwing, said first means being effective i to 'support'said tab in anoperative position in which saidtab extends between said wings andin a reversed position 1 s I p in which said tab underlies said one wing second strap fastener means for releasably securingtheoppositeend of said tab member to the undersurface of'the opposite V wing, the length of said'tab being'app'reciably less than the spacing of said first and secondfastening means when the collar is configurated in a spread condition, saidtab when interconnected tosaid first and secondffastening wing, said first meansbeing-effective to support saidttab V 1 in an operative position in which said tab extends between.

said Wings and in a reversed position in which said tab underlies said one wing, second means for releasably securing the opposite end of said tab'member to the undersurface .of the opposite wing intermediate the upper edge and tip of said opposite Wing,'-the length of said tab being appreciably less than in a spread condition, said tab when interconnected to said first and second fastening means being effective to the spacing of said first and second fastening means when the collar is configurated configurate said collar wings in a tab configuration-with the confronting edges of said wings pinched inwardly, and third fastening means mountedupon the undersurface of said first Wing and spaced from said first fastening means to cooperatively engage said opposite end of said tab'mem her when said tab is in its reversed position, said tab being supported in a flat conditionunder said first collar wing and being concealed a wing style. v I I 2. A wing type shirt collar construction selectively configurable in a spread wing style or in a tab style, said collar comprising an upper edge and two downwardly diverging" when-said collar is configurated 7 means beingeifective to configurate said collar?wings"in figurable in a spread wing style or in a tab style, saidcollar comprising anupper'edge and two downwardly diverging opposed wingspsaid wings having concealed undersnr faces, tips and confronting edges, disposed along generally; 1 straight lines when-"the collar'is worn ina' spreadfwing style configuration, a'tab member, snap fastener elements' on opposite endso'f said tabmember, a firstcomplemen-i tary snap fastener disposed on the'undersurface of 'one' wing intermediate the upper edge and tip ofsaidwing, a second complementary snap fastener disposed on theJun- I dersur-face of the opposite wing intermediate theupp'er' edge and tip of saidwing, the spacing of the snap fastener elements on said tab :being appreciablyless than the spacingof'said first and seciondcomplementarys'nap fasteners, I when the collar is configurated in a spread condition, sa d 1 tab when interconnected to said first and secondcomplee mentary snap fasteners being effective to configurate said collarwings in a tab' configuration with'the confronting edges of said wings. pinched inwardly; and a third com lj fi t mounted upon the undersurface of a fi s w t n spaced"from id .firstfastenin v:

having concealed undersur 7 along generally of'said wing-the length of said tab being appreciably less than the spacing of said first and second fastening means when the collar is configuratedin a spreadcondition, said tabwhen interconnected to "said first and second fastening means being ,riefi'ective to' configurate said collar wings in a tab config- T c 1 uration with the confronting edges of saidwings gpinche'dmeans to cooperatively engage said opposite end of said tab member to support said tab in a flat concealed position under said first collar Wing when said collar is configurated in a Wing style.

5. A Wing type shirt collar construction selectively con figurable in a spread wing style or in a tab style, said collar comprising an upper edge and two downwardly diverging opposed wings, said wings having concealed undersurfaces, tips and confronting edges disposed along generally straight lines when the collar is worn in a spread wing style configuration, a semi-rigid plastic tab member, snap fastener elements adjacent to opposite ends of said tab member, the ends of said tab member extending outwardly beyond said fastener elements, a first complementary snap fastener disposed on the nndersurface of one wing intermediate the upper edge and tip of said wing, a second complementary snap fastener disposed on the undersurface of the opposite wing intermediate the upper edge and tip of said wing, the spacing of the snap fastener elements on said tab being appreciably less than the spacing of said first and second complementary snap fasteners when the collar is configurated in a spread condition, said tab when interconnected to said first and second complementary snap fasteners being effective to configurate said collar wings in a tab configuration with the confronting edges of said wings pinched inwardly, and a third complementary snap fastener mounted upon the undersurface of said first wing and spaced from said first fastening means to cooperatively engage said opposite end of said tab member to support said tab in a flat concealed position under said first collar wing when said collar is configurated in a wing style.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,243,461 Tooke Oct. 16, 1917 1,251,069 McKay Dec. 25, 1917 1,310,550 Sipperly July 22, 1919 3,106,719 Rosenfeld Oct. 15, 1963 

1. A WING TYPE SHIRT COLLAR CONSTRUCTION SELECTIVELY CONFIGURABLE IN A SPREAD WING STYLE OR IN A TAB STYLE, SAID COLLAR COMPRISING AN UPPER EDGE AND TWO DOWNWARDLY DIVERGING OPPOSED WINGS, SAID WINGS HAVING CONCEALED UNDERSURFACES, TIPS AND CONFRONTING EDGES DISPOSED ALONG GENERALLY STRAIGHT LINES WHEN THE COLLAR IS WORN IN A SPREAD WING STYLE CONFIGURATION, A TAB MEMBER, FIRST MEANS SECURING ONE END OF SAID TAB MEMBER TO THE UNDERSURFACE OF ONE WING INTERMEDIATE THE UPPER EDGE AND TIP OF SAID WING, SAID FIRST MEANS BEING EFFECTIVE TO SUPPORT SAID TAB IN AN OPERATIVE POSITION IN WHICH SAID TAB EXTENDS BETWEEN SAID WINGS AND IN A REVERSED POSITION IN WHICH SAID TAB UNDERLIES SAID ONE WING, SECOND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID TAB MEMBER TO THE UNDERSURFACE OF THE OPPOSITE WING INTERMEDIATE THE UPPER EDGE AND TIP OF SAID OPPOSITE WING, THE LENGTH OF SAID TAB BEING APPRECIABLY LESS THAN THE SPACING OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND FASTENING MEANS WHEN THE COLLAR IS CONFIGURATED IN A SPREAD CONDITION, SAID TAB WHEN INTERCONNECTED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND FASTENING MEANS BEING EFFECTIVE TO CONFIGURATE SAID COLLAR WINGS IN A TAB CONFIGURATION WITH THE CONFRONTING EDGES OF SAID WINGS PINCHED INWARDLY, AND THIRD FASTENING MEANS MOUNTED UPON THE UNDERSURFACE OF SAID FIRST WING AND SPACED FROM SAID FIRST FASTENING MEANS TO COOPERATIVELY ENGAGE SAID OPPOSITE END OF SAID TAB MEMBER WHEN SAID TAB IS IN ITS REVERSED POSITION, SAID TAB BEING SUPPORTED IN A FLAT CONDITION UNDER SAID FIRST COLLAR WING AND BEING CONCEALED WHEN SAID COLLAR IS CONFIGURATED IN A WING STYLE. 